More than 30,000 ballots cast in first 2 hours of Election Day

The ballots are flooding in.

With polls recently opened at 10 am this morning, Calgary has already seen 30,949 votes cast for the General Election.

See also

• Fiasco Gelato is giving away FREE gelato to anyone who votes today
• Here's how to vote in Calgary's General Election today
• Man charged after sexually assaulting, trapping woman in hotel room for 11 hours

Along with the 74,965 votes cast in the Advance Vote, that puts the total voter turnout for 2017 at 15.88% – with six hours still to go.

In comparison, 2013’s election saw a voter turnout of only 39.43% of eligible voters.

Social media has been abuzz today with talk of the election, calls-to-action, and proof of participation – proudly displaying those little green stickers.

I get to complain tomorrow about my elected representatives #yycelection #YYCVote pic.twitter.com/iWT4b2jPT2

— Eric Wilhite (@eric_wilhite) October 16, 2017

Give yourself a break from Twitter and go vote! It’s fun and meaningful and will give you something to post about #yycvote #yyc

— Lee Cookson (@thehumblestag) October 16, 2017

Me: Lennox, we’re going to vote, do you know what that is?

My 4 yo: Yes! We say “trick or treat!”

Well in a manner of speaking.. #yycvote

— Bridget Brown (@Bridget_Brown_) October 16, 2017

The uptick in turnout could possibly be related to the offer of free gelato from Fiasco Gelato for anyone who can display proof of voting, but we like to think it’s Calgarians dedication to democracy that’s spurring them to their stations – rather than a free snack.

Thanks @fiascogelato for the free #Ivoted gelato. #yycvote #yyc #raspberrylime pic.twitter.com/R6Ky6AynhO

— James Young (@shamukemo) October 16, 2017